OSHA Antes Up for Casino Construction
In an effort not to gamble with safety, Sands BethWorks Gaming LLC has partnered with OSHA to promote a safe workplace for employees involved in the construction of the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa.
Owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corp., the 126-acre Sands site will hold a 300-room hotel, 200,000 square feet of retail space, 3,000 slot machines, a meeting and convention area, and a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment venues. At peak construction, the project will employ approximately 1,200 workers in various construction trades.
"We want every employee to go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday," said Jean Kulp, OSHA's area director in Allentown, Pa.
Major goals of the partnership are to keep the DART (cases with days away from work, restricted or transferred) rate below the national average for the commercial construction industry and to further reduce this level of recordable injuries by at least four percent annually for the duration of the partnership.
As part of the agreement, the Sands also will manage worksite safety and health issues as they pertain to cranes, including existing tower cranes present at the site. Safety precautions will include providing inspections and operator training/certification, and inspecting all cranes on site in accordance with OSHA standards and manufacturer and design specifications. For more information, contact OSHA's Allentown Area Office at 610-776-0592.